|
All news is attributed to the source from which it was received so that readers may judge the validity of the statements for themselves.
Have Joan Jett news to report? Email us at jettfc@aol.com, and please include the source of the information so it can be validated.
SHOW REVIEW: Billy Idol w/JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS in Saratoga, NY
from: americanahighways.org
By Jim Reynolds
Both Billy Idol and JOAN JETT played impressive performances at SPAC's Broadview Stage on Sunday August 17, 2025. The pairing of these two artists of the 80s punk-rock scene was appropriate for many reasons. Both are performers in their 60s (although Idol, at 69, is on the threshold of becoming a septuagenarian) who can still belt out their songs with great gusto and verve. They both did career boosting covers of Tommy James & The Shondells songs (Jett with "Crimson and Clover," Idol with "Mony Mony"), which were show spotlights. They both provided well-executed live shows, and had the rapt audience sing along with the familiar lines and choruses. Although they both may fall under the unfortunate label of "nostalgia legacy acts," they both have recently put out new material that they incorporated into their sets. Both also utilized the projections screens in the back of the stage to augment their shows - Jett had grainy, edgy black, white, and red images and song lyrics synced up to her performance, while Idol had images of himself, his name logo, and other relevant projections to the songs he performed.
JOAN JETT, at age 66, played her one-hour set of songs with great energy and angst. Always outspoken, Jett at one point alluded to "the state of the world today," and then read a quote from Lincoln's Gettysburg Address: "Of the People, By the People, For the People," then had the crowd rant into over and over before playing "Change the World." She mentioned her love for the Replacements before playing a terrific version of their song "Androgynous," a not-surprising choice from a significant ground-breaking artist and icon who broke down barriers for other female rock performers. Although half of Jett's setlist often consists of cover songs, she has always made them her own, and delivered them with her signature sound, which definitely set the tone for the feel-good night.
Billy Idol worked the entire stage from the start - roaming, sauntering, and swaggering around - and encouraged the attendees to participate, continuing the inclusive and lively atmosphere still lingering after Jett's set. At one point, he even threw frisbees into the crowd. Idol's backing band has evolved and changed throughout his career, but a consistent presence has been his longtime collaborator, guitarist Steve Stevens, who was a pleasure to see and hear. Stevens is an underrated guitarist, but his guitar playing dexterity and prowess were on display all night. Five songs into the show, he was given a proper moment to shine when he played a spectacular acoustic guitar solo - with references to Led Zeppelin's "Over the Hills and Far Away" and, cheekily, a bit of "Stairway to Heaven," which he abruptly stopped, shook his head, and slapped his own hand. He then went into a bit of Eddie Van Halen's "Eruption," which received rousing spontaneous applause.
Other current members of Idol's backing band include Stephen McGrath on bass and backing vocals, Billy Morrison on rhythm guitar and backing vocals, Erik Eldenius on drums, and Paul Trudeau on keyboards and backing vocals. Before playing "Ready Steady Go," Idol took a moment to acknowledge the passing of Ozzy Osbourne, displaying an image of him on the back projection screen. He had Morrison (who he said was one of Ozzy's friends and musical collaborators) give a brief speech about Ozzy, before getting the crowd to chant "Ozzy! Ozzy!" One of the striking moments of the night was a cover of Rose Royce's "Love Don't Live Here Anymore," which Idol sang with backup singer Kitten Kuroi - who held some high notes that received cheers and praise for her amazing vocal power. Idol sounded great, and both backing vocalists Kuroi and Jessica Childress gave his songs and performance an extra element they needed onstage. Other memorable moments included Idol picking up a plastic white toy ray gun during "Rebel Yell" and handing it to Stevens to play his iconic ray-gun guitar solo in the song. Idol came back for four encores, which included three of his well-known and upbeat songs: "Dancing With Myself," "Hot in the City," and "White Wedding," ending the night on a high note.
Mixed with the obvious nostalgia of the night was a genuine reverence for these two Rock and Roll Hall of famers, who proved they can still rock out and provide patrons with a spirited and dynamic live music experience.
BILLY IDOL SETLIST:
Still Dancing
Cradle of Love
Flesh for Fantasy
77
Eyes Without a Face
Steve Stevens Guitar Solo
Mony Mony (Tommy James & the Shondells cover)
Love Don't Live Here Anymore (Rose Royce cover)
Too Much Fun
Ready Steady Go (Generation X song)
Blue Highway / Top Gun Anthem
Rebel Yell
ENCORES:
Dancing With Myself (Generation X song)
Hot in the City
People I Love
White Wedding
JOAN JETT SETLIST:
Victim of Circumstance
Cherry Bomb (The RUNAWAYS cover)
Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah) (Gary Glitter cover)
Change the World
(Make the Music Go) Boom
Fake Friends
Lie to Me
Androgynous (The Replacements cover)
Love Is Pain
Everyday People (Sly & the Family Stone cover)
I Love Rock ‘n' Roll (The Arrows cover)
Crimson and Clover (Tommy James & the Shondells cover)
I Hate Myself for Loving You
Bad Reputation |
| |
This Week:
Item Of The Month:
|
